Parliament approved €1,651,834 in EU Solidarity Fund aid on Tuesday to help Greece to repair damage caused by an earthquake that hit the Ionian Islands region, and in particular Lefkada, northern parts of Ithaki and Kefalonia, on 17 November 2015. The earthquake measured 6.1 on the Richter scale. Two people lost their lives, eight were wounded, and 120 houses were damaged. … [Read more...]
Greek Adjustment Programme Battleground Replay
MEPs voiced startlingly different views on the state of Greece’s economic adjustment programme, its impact and the prospects for future negotiations between Greece and its creditors, in a public debate with Commissioner Pierre Moscovici on Tuesday afternoon. Commissioner Moscovici kicked off the debate on a positive note, going through a long list of reforms that have been … [Read more...]
EU Pushes Two-Year Schengen Border Controls
EU Home Affairs ministers asked the European Commission on Monday to consider suspension of the Schengen area for up two years, prolonging EU Member States border controls. Under the Schengen Code, Member States can only introduce temporary border controls for two months, for unforeseeable events and six months, for foreseeable events. But under Article 26, controls can be … [Read more...]
Refugee Women in Europe Risk Sexual Violence Says UNHCR Report
Oumo (not her real name), a young woman from sub-Saharan Africa is fleeing persecution that has left her brother-in-law dead and her sister missing. Fearing for her life, she made the dangerous and difficult journey to Europe where she is hoping to find asylum and safety. During her journey to Greece, Oumo was forced to engage in transactional sex twice to secure passage on … [Read more...]
Tsipras “Optimistic” On Sustainable Greek Solution
New Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras visited the European Parliament today where he was welcomed by EP President Martin Schulz. After the meeting Schulz said: "Mr Tsipras is battling for European cooperation, not only seeking a solution for Greece. He has my full support." He also stressed the need for a framework for "constructive dialogue and solutions". Meanwhile Tsipras … [Read more...]
Thyssen Proposes €8.7m Aid For Greek Media Workers
The European Commission has proposed to mobilise the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help 1,633 workers made redundant in the media sectors (publishing, programming and broadcasting) in Attica (Greece). The funds requested by the Greek authorities, amounting to €8.7 million, will help the workers in their transition to new jobs. The proposals now go to the … [Read more...]